JP3245030B2 - Pass-through cassette magazine, storage medium handling method and automated storage system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to data processing systems and, more particularly, to a storage subsystem having a cassette magazine that provides a locked position and a released position for a cassette stored therein. And provides a lockable and releasable position of the magazine with respect to the storage subsystem.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Business, scientific, and recreational applications often rely on computers to process and record data by storing or transferring large amounts of data to removable media. .
Removable media generally takes the form of a magnetic tape cartridge, an optical disk cartridge, a floppy disk, or a flop optical disk. The benefits of storing data on removable media are numerous,
It includes the ability to store hundreds of megabytes of data or even gigabytes of data (additional cartridges can be used to store more data),
It provides a medium for long-term storage and storage, backs up data on non-removable media, and provides a convenient medium for transferring data between computers. Generally, removable media is the most economical means of storing or storing data.

In the past, when a request for a special removable cassette (or tape reel) arose, the operator had to search for the data cassette and physically load the cassette into storage. was there. This manual mode suffered a considerable delay while the cassette was being searched by the operator before the data on the cassette was processed. Unfortunately, the operator is prone to errors in searching for and loading the incorrect cassette.

With the development of data storage products, data
Cassettes have decreased in size while increasing data storage capacity. Also, robots have been designed and incorporated to automatically search for cassettes and automatically load them into storage. The robot is
An automated storage library having one or more storage devices and a plurality of cassettes arranged in storage cells is provided. A more convenient one was obtained by using a removable magazine. Each of the magazines had multiple storage cells for loading and unloading many data cassettes at a time. Robots have replaced operators and have seen improvements in access time and reliability. However, since a robot is a complex machine that requires many degrees of freedom (rotation and translation with respect to mechanical connections), it requires maintenance and adjustment. The complexity of the robot has resulted in many manufacturing and maintenance costs.

The difficulty that exists with many degrees of freedom in a robot is the pass-through picker.
gh picker) to some extent. The pass-through picker is an assembly for retrieving a cassette from a storage cell and placing the cassette in a storage device. The pass-through picker assembly is located between storage and storage cells in an automated storage subsystem. These storage cells are generally arranged parallel to and opposite to the storage device. The pass-through picker retrieves the cassette from the storage cell, passes the cassette through the structure, and transfers the cassette to storage. This is compared to a robot
The complexity of the picker is reduced, and the space efficiency of the pass-through picker is improved by placing the storage cell opposite the storage device. As data storage products evolve, this limitation does not take into account that the total number of storage cells reaches a maximum limit in its automated storage subsystem. Furthermore, there is still an ever-increasing demand for providing more storage capacity in smaller spaces. Therefore, pass-through pickers coupled with storage devices and storage cells must use space very efficiently.

[0006] Achieving increased storage capacity in a smaller space is made possible by improving the design of the magazine. For example, a magazine that minimizes its own area increases the amount of space available for cartridges, and thus increases data capacity. Storage subsystems that use pass-through pickers are further improved by using pass-through magazines that allow operators to view cartridge status or remove and add cassettes while processing other cassettes. . However, pass-through magazine presents additional design challenges, including security. The ability to hold cassettes for transport processes processed and unprocessed cassettes and releases them to give them visibility.

A solution for holding cassettes in a magazine-type storage box while providing a means for quickly releasing individual cassettes is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,929,861. This patent teaches the use of alternately releasing and blocking bars having a locked position and a released position. The bar is lockable in a release position to provide an opening below each lever and to release the cassette by pushing the lever to release each of the plurality of cassettes. Alternatively, the bar
The bar is positioned so that the blocking is under each lever, thus preventing the levers from being depressed, so that each cassette can be locked in a locked position by locking each cassette into its storage cell. The design of that patent is directed to a box that houses the cassettes and preferably locks them to prevent theft. This design is not intended to release all cassettes at the same time for random access by the picker, nor does it provide a pass-through capability and loading and unloading positions for the cassettes. Neither does the storage box allow for interfacing with an automated storage system.

[0008] A cassette magazine that addresses the problem of interfacing a magazine to an automated storage subsystem is disclosed in US Patent No. 5,247,406. This patent discloses a design in which pass-through storage is prohibited, that is, a cassette in which the cassette can be freely removed by a picker mechanism by tilting a storage cell so that gravity holds the cassette in a predetermined position.
Teaches the magazine. In addition, a lock bar separate from the magazine is expected to lock the cassette in the magazine. The need for a lock bar is avoided in the design shown in US Pat. No. 5,004,393. Thereby, the spring pawl provides sufficient pressure to normally hold the cassette in the magazine, but the pressure is weak enough to allow the picker mechanism to remove the cassette from the magazine. Releasably holding the cassette in this manner is acceptable for transport since the magazine is not of a pass-through design, ensuring that the cassette rests on the closed end of the storage cell. It is. However, if the cassette is heavy and shakes the magazine sufficiently, the cassette may come off the magazine and be damaged.

One example of a cassette magazine that addresses the problem of providing pass-through storage for cassettes is taught in US Pat. No. 4,850,485. This patent uses two stops, one on each side of the cassette, to releasably hold each cassette or lock all cassettes in the magazine. The design of this patent is slightly complicated by the use of double stops. The cassette has no loading and unloading positions, and the magazine is slid into the storage subsystem so that it is held in place by gravity.

What is needed is a pass-through cassette with a single lock / release cassette holding mechanism.
Magazine. In this case, the cassette is releasably or lockably held at the loading or unloading position, and the locking mechanism interacts with the storage subsystem to interlock the magazine with the storage subsystem while releasably holding the cassette. Alternatively, however, when the pass-through magazine is released from the storage subsystem, such a cassette is lockably held in the loading or unloading position.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pass-through cassette magazine for use in an automated cassette loading system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pass-through
Pass-through, where the cassette magazine locks multiple cassettes into the magazine for transport and holds the cassettes releasable when the pass-through magazine is locked to the automated storage subsystem -To provide a cassette magazine in its automated storage subsystem.

[0013]

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pass-through cassette magazine for accommodating a plurality of cassettes in a plurality of storage cells. Each cassette has a first retaining notch at its edge. The pass-through cassette magazine has a housing with a bottom that contains a plurality of cantilevers (one cantilever for each storage cell), each cantilever being in a first position when the cassette is in the loading position in the storage cell. It has a cassette holding tab for cooperating with a holding notch. A lock plate is slidably biased under the housing bottom in a non-interlocked position of the magazine.
The lock plate includes a corresponding lock bar for each cantilever such that, in the non-interlocked position of the magazine, each lock bar maintains each cantilever tab in the first cassette retaining notch. Each such cassette is locked in its loading position. The lock plate is slidable to a magazine interlock position in the storage subsystem. A lock bar is moved under and offset from each corresponding cantilever to releasably hold each cassette, and a lock plate is provided with an interlock mechanism on the side facing the plurality of cantilevers. Including. The bottom plate slidably holds the lock plate under the housing, and if any cassette in the storage cell is not properly positioned in place, the lock plate is held in the magazine interlock position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for storing, transporting, and accessing a plurality of storage media for processing in a data storage library having a storage device and a picker mechanism is shown. The method includes holding the plurality of storage media vertically in a pass-through magazine such that the plurality of storage media are lockably held at a loading position. Pass-through
The magazine is inserted into the storage library such that it interlocks with the storage library, and the plurality of storage media are releasably held in a pass-through magazine accessible to the picker mechanism. The picker mechanism picks each storage medium to process each storage medium and passes
In the magazine, each processed storage medium at the unloading position is replaced. A pass-through magazine is removed from a storage medium by releasing a magazine interlock while simultaneously locking a plurality of storage media in the pass-through magazine.

[0015]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, like reference numerals correspond to like parts shown in those figures. The present invention is described as being implemented in an automated magnetic tape storage subsystem for use in a data processing environment. Although the present invention is illustrated using a magnetic tape cartridge, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention applies equally to optical disk cartridges or other removable storage media. Further, since the invention disclosed herein is generally applicable to magazine storage and cassette processing systems, the description of an automated magnetic tape storage system is not meant to limit the invention to data storage applications. Absent.

FIG. 1 shows an automatic cassette insertion mechanism (ACL) for managing a removable medium, for example, a magnetic tape.
Or an automated storage subsystem 1. The removable medium is contained in a plurality of data cassettes 5, which generally house magnetic tape reels or optical disks or the like. Each data cassette 5 is placed in a pass-through cassette magazine 4 (hereinafter, simply referred to as magazine 4). A pass-through cassette magazine is a magazine that allows cassettes to enter at one location and be retrieved from another location, i.e., the cassette can "pass through".
Each magazine 4 includes a plurality of storage cells separated from each other by a separator for holding a plurality of data cassettes 5 in a vertical direction. Magazine 4 stores data and
The cassette 5 is alternatively releasably held,
A means is provided for holding each data cassette 5 while allowing access to retrieve the plurality of data cassettes 5 via the picker assembly 3. Each data cassette 5 includes two cassette holding notch mechanisms 8 and 9 respectively associated with lockably holding each data cassette 5 in an unloading or loading position.

The automated storage subsystem 1 includes at least one storage device 2, for example, an IBM 3494 magnetic tape drive. The magazine 4 is arranged across the storage device 2 and in parallel therewith. Magazine 4 is storage device 2
(Not shown). Picker assembly 3 is data cassette 5
From the carry-in position in the magazine 4 to the loader / slot in the storage device 2. The loading position is defined as a data cassette position substantially within the magazine 4 such that the data cassette is held lockable or releasable by the magazine 4 and can be captured by the picker assembly 3. Picker assembly 3
The picker assembly 3 is stored in the storage device 2 and the magazine 4
Is attached to the access mechanism 6 which transports in parallel. This transfer allows the picker assembly 3 to be aligned with any of the plurality of data cassettes 5 or with the loader slot.

When the picker assembly 3 is positioned in line with the selected data cassette, the picker assembly 3 retrieves the data cassette 5 from the magazine 4. The data cassette 5 is held in the picker assembly 3 while the picker assembly 3 is transferred to the storage device 2 via the access mechanism 6. When the storage device 2 is reached, the picker
The assembly 3 transfers the data cassette 5 to the storage device 2. When the storage device 2 has processed the data cassette 5, the picker assembly 3 removes the data cassette 5 from the storage device 2 and returns to the original storage cell (or the empty storage cell) in the magazine 4. .
In that case, the picker assembly 3 transfers the data cassette 5 to the magazine 4 at the loading position or the unloading position. The unloading position is used to provide a visual indication to the operator that the data cassette has been processed,
The cassette is defined as a position where it is held lockably or releasably by the magazine 4 and outside the reach of the picker assembly 3.

The magazine 4 performs several functions other than simply holding the data cassette 5 in a position that is randomly accessible to the picker assembly 3. When each magazine 4 is not interfaced to the storage subsystem 1 (ie, when handled by an operator), the data cassette 5 is stored in the corresponding storage cell.
Is designed to be locked in the loading position or the unloading position. The "cassette lock" position indicates that the data cassette 5 cannot be removed from the magazine 4 without significant force, for example, without a kilogram or more. Conversely, a data cassette 5 held in the "cassette unlocked" position is generally removable from its storage cell with a force of 300 grams or less. When a magazine 4 is interfaced to the storage subsystem 1, the magazine 4 is interlocked to it so that the magazine cannot be removed without releasing the magazine interlock. While magazine 4 is interlocked,
The cassette lock on the data cassette 5 is disabled so that the data cassette 5 can be freely picked by the picker assembly 3 or removed or inserted by the operator.

The data cassette 5 will typically be in one of two predetermined positions, ie, an incoming or outgoing position. If the data cassette 5 is in a position other than the loading or unloading, a potential problem exists, the release of the interlock mechanism is disabled, and therefore all data before the magazine 4 is removed from the storage subsystem 1. -It is necessary to position the cassette 5 properly.
If the magazine 4 is allowed to remove an improperly positioned data cassette 5, that data cassette and other data cassettes will not be securely locked for transport.

Referring to FIG. 2, picker assembly 3
The vertical arrangement relationship between the front gripper 20 and the rear gripper 21 is shown. The front gripper 20 faces the magazine 4 and the rear gripper 21 faces the storage device 2. Front gripper 2
The vertical alignment of the rear gripper 21 with respect to
The cassette allows the picker assembly 3 to "pass through", so that the picker assembly 3 operates the pass-through picker. Both the front gripper 20 and the rear gripper 21 extend beyond the data cassette 5 when the data cassette 5 is present on either side of the picker assembly 3. For the picker assembly 3 to be transferred, the front gripper 20 and the rear gripper 21 must be in an open position (as shown) to avoid interference with all existing data cassettes 5. Since the front gripper 21 can be held open except when the data cassette 5 is captured, the front gripper 20 and the rear gripper 21 operate independently to separate the magazine 4 from the storage device 2. The distance you are in is minimized. Furthermore, Picker
It is not necessary to transport the assembly 3 vertically with respect to the storage device 2 and the magazine 4.

To retrieve the data cassette 5 from the magazine 4 or the storage device 2, a suitable front gripper 20 is used.
Or, the rear gripper 21 must be closed to contact a given data cassette. The picker assembly 3 disclosed herein allows the front gripper 20 and the rear gripper 21 to operate independently. That is,
While the rear gripper 21 is actuated open or closed, the gripper 20 can be maintained in the open position, or vice versa. The advantage realized by the independent gripper operation is that a given data cassette can be retrieved or returned by the picker assembly 3 without interfering with other data cassettes 5. Front gripper 20 and magazine 4 (magazine 4
Examining the relationship between the data cassette 5 and the hidden data cassette 5 indicates that the data cassette 5 in the loading position has its cassette 5 in the upper and lower fingers of the front gripper 20. Conversely, the front gripper 20 can return the cassette 5 to the magazine 4 at the unloading position or the processed position. In that case, only the uppermost part of the cassette 5 is in the finger of the front gripper 20, so that the picker mechanism cannot re-grip the processed data cassette 5.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cutaway side view of the magazine 4 is shown. The side surface 31 of the magazine 4 extends beyond the main body of the magazine 4 having a length approximating the length of the data cassette 5, and a guide mechanism (not shown) for guiding the magazine 4 to the storage subsystem 1. )give. A divider 36 is shown that separates one storage cell from the other and provides a partial wall extending between the top 35 and bottom 32 of the magazine 4. The bottom 32 includes a plurality of cantilevers 37, one for each storage cell. Each cantilever 37 further includes
A tab or cassette holding mechanism 38 (hereinafter referred to as a tab 38) that engages or cooperates with one of two holding notches 8 and 9 (inlet and outgoing notches) in the cassette 5.
Contains.

The cantilever 37 shown in FIG. 3 is in the "cassette locked" position. That is, the tab 38 is engaged with the cassette holding notch 9 (FIG. 1) to engage the data cassette 5.
Is lockably held in the storage cell. The cantilever 37 and the tab 38 are held at a predetermined position above the holding notch of the data cassette 5 by a lock plate 33 having a plurality of lock bars 39, one for each cantilever 37. Lock plate 33 is 2
It is slidable to one of two predetermined positions, a magazine interlock position and a magazine non-interlock position. In the magazine non-interlock position, the lock
The plate 33 not only locks the data cassette 5 to the respective storage cell, but also interfaces with the bottom plate 34 so that the magazine 4 can be inserted into or removed from the storage subsystem 1.
The bottom plate 34 slidably holds the lock plate 33 operatively under the bottom 32 with a spring bias.

The terms "magazine non-interlock" and "cassette lock" can be used interchangeably as these terms refer to the same location on the lock plate 33. However, the former term is Magazine 4
And the storage subsystem 1, the latter term describing the relationship between the magazine 4 and the data cassette 5. Similarly, the terms "magazine interlock" and "cassette unlock"
Refer to these terms at the same position on the lock plate 33 but different from the above position;
Can be used interchangeably. The former term describes the relationship between the magazine 4 and the storage subsystem 1, and the latter term describes the relationship between the magazine 4 and the data cassette 5.

FIG. 4 shows a similar cut away side view of the magazine 4, but with the lock plate 33 slid to the cassette unlocked position or the magazine interlocked position. In its cassette unlocked position, the lock plate has a lock bar 39 (not shown because it has been cut away) with a corresponding cantilever 37.
Rather than just below, instead, an opening or void is provided substantially below each tab 38. Therefore,
Each tab 38 has a cantilever 37 and a data cassette so that each data cassette 5 can be easily removed from the magazine 4.
It is easily pushed down towards the void via the pressure from the cassette 5. Therefore, in the cassette unlock position, the data cassette 5 is releasably released from the magazine 4.
Is held in. Furthermore, in the interlock position,
The lock plate 33 and the bottom 34 serve as an “interlock” for coupling the magazine 4 to the storage subsystem 1.
Work together to form

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the bottom and top sides of the lock plate 33 in more detail, respectively. 5, two spring members 51 and 52 molded as part of the lock plate 33 are provided to bias the lock plate with spring force, for example, with respect to the cantilever 37 (FIG. 3) in the magazine unlocked position. Can be A manual locking tab 54 is provided to provide the operator with a means to manually slide the locking plate 33 into the cassette unlocked position against the spring bias. Under conditions of frequent use, the molded spring members 51, 52 may fail or break prematurely. Alternatively, metal springs can be used in place of the molded spring members 51,52. They are attached to the bottom plate and press on the locking plate 33 to provide the desired spring bias. Further, FIG. 5 shows a plurality of openings or voids 56 that allow the cantilever 37 to retract from the data cassette 5 to facilitate insertion and removal. A groove 53 cooperating with the bottom 34 (FIG. 3) is provided to form an interlock mechanism for interlocking the magazine 4 to the storage subsystem 1.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the top side of the lock plate 33 shows the relationship of the opening 56 to the lock bar 39. Each lock bar 39 has a safety ramp 57 that slopes inwardly from bottom to top toward lock bar 39. If the cantilever 37 (FIG. 3) has been broken, the safety ramp 57 will cause the locking bar 39 to slide into the cassette locking position (eg, when the magazine 4 is removed from the storage subsystem 1). The failed cantilever 37 is guided towards the corresponding retaining notch of the data cassette 5, thus allowing the locking bar 33 to slide to its desired position.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the magazine 4 with the bottom plate 34 removed to expose the lock plate. Lock plate 33 is shown in a spring-biased cassette lock position. In its cassette locked position, the tabs 38 are supported on corresponding locking bars 39 and are therefore only partially visible. In addition, spring members 51 and 52 apply a bias pressure to bottom 32 to hold lock plate 33 in place. Lock tab 54 for manual operation
Can be grasped to slide the lock plate 33 to the cassette unlock position for releasing the data cassette 5. The groove 53 is moved by a manual locking tab 54 that creates or releases an interlock with the storage subsystem 1, as will become apparent.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the magazine 4 with the bottom plate 34 removed to expose the lock plate 33. In this example, the lock plate 33 is in the cassette unlock position. The bottom side of the tab 38 is visible through the opening 56, in which case the tab 38 is free to face down through the opening 56 to allow the data cassette to slide easily over the tab 38. Moving. The spring members 51 and 52 are subjected to external forces by a manual locking tab 54 or by an interface in the storage subsystem 1. The groove 53 is in the interlock position, but the interlock itself is formed in combination with the bottom 34 removed.

FIG. 9 is a projection view of the magazine 4 as viewed from the bottom. Groove 53 and manual locking tab 54 interface with bottom 34 to form an interlock. The locking plate 33 is shown in a magazine non-interlocked position, in which, for example, an open path from the groove 53 to the edge of the bottom 34 so that the pins (not shown) of the storage subsystem 1 slide inside. Is formed. The actual interlock is
Formed by closing the path. The relationship between the plurality of dividers 36 for forming the plurality of storage cells can be more clearly seen. A guide mechanism can be seen on the edge 31 to assist in guiding the magazine 4 to and from the storage subsystem 1.
A cassette presence sensing slot 55 is provided so that the storage subsystem can sense that the cassette 5 has been manually inserted into the priority storage slot for priority processing. This cassette presence sensing slot 55 can be otherwise installed on the side 31 without departing from its sensing function. Although the storage cells are of a length substantially shorter than the length of the data cassette 5,
Are substantially the same length, thereby providing protection to the data cassette 5 stored in the storage cell.
In addition, the side 31 provides a sensor obstruction for positioning the picker assembly 3.

FIG. 10 shows a projection view of the magazine 4 from the bottom side, in which the groove 53 and the manual locking tab 54 have been slid to the magazine interlock position. The manual locking tab 54 blocks the open path so that the pin held in the groove 53 is interlocked with the bottom plate 54 and the magazine 4 is not removed from the storage subsystem 1. Lock plate 3
Sliding 3 into the magazine interlock position unlocks data cassette 5 as described above.

Next, a method of operating the system will be described. Referring again to FIG. 1, the function of the picker assembly 3 is to transfer the data cassette from the magazine 4 to the storage device 2 and then return the data cassette 5 to the original storage cell in the magazine 4. The magazine 4 allows the operator to load the data cassette 5 by sliding the manual locking tab 54 to the cassette unlock position. Generally, it is necessary to overcome the spring bias force applied by the spring members 51, 52 with a force of 300 grams or less. Once the magazine 4 has been loaded, the manual locking tab 54 is released, thus locking the cassette 5 in the storage cell of the magazine 4. now,
The magazine 4 can be inserted into the storage subsystem 1. Inserting the magazine 4 causes the groove 53 and the bottom plate 34 to interact with the storage subsystem 1 so that the lock plate 33 is again pushed into the magazine interlock position, so that the magazine 4 is locked in place. The data cassette 4 is now held releasably in the storage cell.

The operation sequence begins when a request is sent to the automatic storage subsystem 1 to load a particular data cassette 5 located in the magazine 4 into the storage device 2. The initial state of the picker allows the picker assembly 3 to freely traverse the magazine 4 when both the front gripper 20 and the rear gripper 21 are in the open position. The access mechanism 6 will transport the picker assembly 3 in line with a known storage cell to contain the requested data cassette 5. The requested data cassette releasably held in the magazine 4 at the loading position is removed from the magazine 4 and loaded into the loader slot of the storage device 2 for processing. After the processing is completed, the rear gripper 21 removes the data cassette 5 from the storage slot. The processed data cassette 5 is returned by the front gripper 20 to its original storage cell or to an empty storage cell. The processed data cassette 5 is, for example, placed in the unloading position, that is, the cassette unloading notch 8.
Is ejected by the front gripper 20 back into the storage cell so that is aligned with the tab 38.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data
The cassette 5 is in a position where the front gripper 20 cannot reach.
FIG. 11 shows the cassette 5 loaded at both the loading position and the unloading position. Since the top edge of the data cassette 5 is longer than the bottom edge, the front gripper 20 can push the data cassette 5 out of its reach.
The top finger of the front gripper allows the data cassette 5 to be pushed away by its top edge.

The processed data cassette 5 is made visible to the operator by being returned to the unloading position. At an appropriate time, the operator may disable the interlock between the storage subsystem 1 and the magazine 4 to remove the magazine 4 from the storage subsystem 1 to retrieve the processed data cassette. it can. At this time, the processed data cassette 5 is locked at the unloading position. If a system error condition occurs and the data cassette 5 is in a position in the magazine 4 other than the loading or unloading position, the lock plate 33 slides back to the magazine non-interlocked position, thus correcting the error. The tab 38 will block the corresponding lock bar 39 so as to prevent the magazine from being removed until it is removed.

In summary, an automated storage subsystem for randomly selecting one cassette from a plurality of cassettes held in a pass-through cassette magazine and transporting the selected cassette from the magazine to a storage device. A system has been disclosed. The automated storage subsystem includes storage for retrieving data from a selected cassette or receiving the cassette for storing data therein. Each cassette has first and second spaced apart holding mechanisms and is aligned on an edge thereof. The pass-through cassette magazine is held in a magazine interlock position in its automated storage subsystem, while the plurality of cassettes are removed for removal from and return to the pass-through cassette magazine by a picker mechanism. Then, the cassette is unlocked in the pass-through cassette magazine. The pass-through cassette magazine maintains a plurality of cassettes in a cassette locked state when it is released from the automated storage subsystem.

The pass-through cassette magazine has a housing having a first side, a second side, a top and a bottom, and a first side and a second side to define a plurality of storage cells.
A plurality of dividers are substantially equally spaced between the sides. The housing is open at the front and rear to allow each cassette to pass through each storage cell, while the storage cells have a length substantially shorter than the length of the cassette. Things. The bottom of the housing has a plurality of cantilevers, each cantilever having a cassette holding mechanism. On the other hand, each cantilever is positioned at a storage cell location to engage the first or second cassette holding mechanism to hold its corresponding cassette at the loading or unloading position. The lock plate has an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of lock bars are formed on the upper surface, and an interlock mechanism is formed on the lower surface.

When the pass-through cassette magazine is loaded into its automated storage subsystem, a lock plate is slid to the magazine interlock position to lock each of the plurality of lock bars. The locking plate is slidably held under the bottom of the housing so as to be below and away from a corresponding one of the plurality of cantilevers, thus enabling release of a plurality of cassettes. Hold. A lock plate is provided so that the pass-through cassette magazine is removed from the automated storage subsystem so that each lock bar is substantially aligned under a corresponding cantilever for locking a cassette in the storage cell. When removed, it is slid into the magazine non-interlock position. A housing plate mounted on the bottom slidably holds the locking plate between the bottom and the housing plate.

In summary, the following matters are disclosed regarding the configuration of the present invention.

(1) A pass-through cassette magazine adapted to hold a plurality of cassettes for use in an automatic cassette loader (ACL) system, each of said cassettes having a first at its edge.
A pass-through cassette magazine, wherein the plurality of cassettes are maintained in a release state for removal and return by the picker mechanism in the pass-through cassette magazine;
The system is held in a magazine interlock state and the pass-through cassette magazine is
When released from the L system, the pass-through cassette magazine maintains the plurality of cassettes in a locked state, wherein the pass-through cassette magazine includes a first side, a second side, a top, a bottom, and the first side. And a plurality of dividers substantially equally spaced between the first and second sides and defining a plurality of storage cells, allowing each cassette to pass through each storage cell. A housing open at the front and rear portions, the bottom having a plurality of cantilevers each having a cassette holding mechanism, each of the cantilevers for holding a corresponding cassette in a first position. One positioned at the location of the storage cell for engaging a corresponding cassette holding mechanism with a first holding mechanism of the corresponding cassette; And a plurality of lock bar has been made,
A lock plate having an interlock mechanism formed on the lower surface, wherein the lock plate slides when the pass-through cassette magazine is loaded into the ACL system. Slidably held beneath the bottom of the housing to be in an interlocked state, each of the plurality of lock bars is offset from a corresponding one of the plurality of cantilevers, and Holding the plurality of cassettes releasably,
A non-interlocked position such that each lock bar is substantially aligned under a corresponding cantilever for locking the cassette in the storage cell when the pass-through cassette magazine is removed from the ACL system. And a housing plate attached to the bottom for slidably retaining the lock plate between the bottom and the housing plate.
Cassette magazine. (2) The lock plate is configured such that a default position of the lock plate locks the cassette in the storage cell.
The pass-through cassette magazine according to (1), further comprising a spring for maintaining the plate in the bias non-interlock position. (3) The pass-through cassette magazine according to (2), wherein the lock plate includes a manual tab on the bottom to provide a manual override for releasing the cassette. (4) The pass-through cassette according to (3), wherein the cassette is held in a vertical position.
magazine. (5) The pass-through cassette magazine according to (4), wherein ten storage cells are provided. (6) each cassette includes a second holding mechanism at the edge, wherein the second holding mechanism is configured to move the cassette at the first position when the first holding mechanism is aligned with the corresponding cantilever; • spaced and aligned with the first holding mechanism such that the cassette is in the second position so that it is fully inserted into the magazine and when the second holding mechanism is aligned with the corresponding cantilever; The pass-through cassette magazine according to the above (5), wherein (7) The pass-through cassette magazine according to (6), wherein the lock plate can be released from the interlock position only when a cassette is at the first position or the second position. (8) Each lock bar forcing a failed cantilever to a corresponding storage cell area to ensure that the lock bar can be forced to a non-interlocked position. The pass-through cassette magazine according to the above (7), comprising a safety slope of (1). (9) The pass-through cassette magazine according to (7), wherein the first position is a carry-in position, and the second position is a carry-out position. (10) The pass-through cassette magazine according to (7), wherein each cassette stores a magnetic tape. (11) A pass-through cassette magazine for accommodating a plurality of cassettes in a plurality of storage cells, wherein each of the cassettes has a first holding notch on an edge thereof. A housing having a bottom including one cantilever for
Each of the cantilevers has a cassette retaining tab for cooperating with the first retaining notch when the cassette is in the loading position, and a slidably biased under the bottom of the housing in a magazine non-interlocked state, In the magazine non-interlocked state, each lock bar has a corresponding locking bar for each cantilever to force each cantilever tab to the first cassette retaining notch to lock each such cassette in the loading position. Magazines with lock plates having bars, each lock bar moving to the side of each corresponding cantilever to releasably hold each cassette.
A lock plate that is slidable in an interlock state and includes an interlock mechanism facing the cantilever, and the lock plate is slidably held under the housing, and any cassette in the storage cell is in a predetermined position. If the lock is not
A bottom plate cooperating with said interlock mechanism to form an interlock such that the plate is forcibly held in an interlock position. (12) The first holding notch such that each cassette cooperates with each of the corresponding cantilever tabs to lock each of the cassettes in the unloading position when the lock plate is in the magazine non-interlocked state. The pass-through cassette magazine according to (11), further including a second holding notch which is aligned with the first holding notch and is separated from the first holding notch. (13) The lock plate according to (12), wherein the lock plate includes a manual operation tab for manually pushing the lock plate into a magazine interlock state to remove the cassette from the magazine. The described pass-through cassette magazine. (14) The pass-through cassette magazine according to (13), further including a biasing means for elastically biasing the lock plate to the magazine non-interlock state. (15) The above (14), wherein the cassettes are held in vertical positions in the storage cells by each of the cantilevers below each corresponding cassette.
Pass-through cassette magazine described in. (16) The pass-through cassette magazine according to (15), including ten storage cells. (17) A method of storing, transporting, and accessing a plurality of storage media for processing in a data storage library having a storage device and a picker mechanism, wherein the plurality of storage media are lockably held at a loading position. Vertically holding the plurality of storage media in a pass-through magazine such that the plurality of storage media are accessible to the picker mechanism by interlocking with the storage library by the pass-through magazine. Inserting the pass-through magazine into the storage library so as to be releasably held in the pass-through magazine, processing each storage medium, and loading each processed storage medium into the pass-through magazine at the loading position or Replacing at the unloading position, and the interlock Remove the passthrough magazines from the storage medium by releasing a method comprising the steps of simultaneously locked in the pass-through magazine said plurality of storage media. (18) The method according to the above (17), further comprising a step of disposing the pass-through magazine at the interlock position and removing the plurality of storage media from the pass-through magazine. (19) One cassette is randomly selected from a plurality of cassettes held in a plurality of storage cells, and an automated storage system for transporting the selected cassette is provided. And a loader and a loader for processing data
A storage device for receiving the selected cassette in a slot, a first gripper and a second gripper, the first gripper having access to the cassette in the plurality of storage cells and the second gripper; A pass-through picker mechanism vertically mounted with said first gripper and second gripper such that the gripper has access to said storage device, wherein said first gripper and second gripper are selected between them. And an access mechanism that carries the pass-through picker mechanism and is positioned to move the pass-through picker mechanism between one of the plurality of storage cells and the storage device. A pass-through magazine for providing the plurality of storage cells for holding the cassette, wherein each cassette is Maintained in the magazine interlock state in the storage system while maintaining the set / unlock state, and maintained in the magazine non-interlock state when removed from the storage system while maintaining each cassette in the cassette lock state. A pass-through magazine, said pass-through magazine being a housing having a bottom containing one cantilever for each storage cell, each cantilever cooperating with said carry-in notch when the cassette is in the carry-in position. And a corresponding lock bar for each cantilever, and in the magazine non-interlocked state, each lock bar connects each cantilever tab to a loading cassette holding notch or an unloading cassette holding notch. To forcibly bring A lock plate slidably biased under the bottom of the housing in a magazine non-interlocked state to lock each such cassette in the loading or unloading position, with each locking bar being a respective cassette. A lock plate slidable into a magazine interlock state which is moved to the side of each corresponding cantilever for releasably holding the lock plate and including an interlock mechanism facing the cantilever; and The interlock mechanism slidably holds the lock plate and the interlock mechanism so that the lock plate is forcibly held in the interlock position when none of the cassettes in the storage cell are aligned at the carry-in position or the carry-out position. With a bottom plate that cooperates to form an interlock , An automated storage system. (20) The pass-through magazine includes a cartridge presence sensing slot in the pass-through magazine.
9. The automated storage system according to 9).

[0041]

According to the present invention, when the pass-through cassette magazine is taken out of the storage subsystem for transportation, the internal cassette is automatically locked to prevent the cassette from being detached from the magazine. The cassettes can be releasably held when mounted in the storage subsystem for processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automated storage system having a magazine containing removable media, a storage device, and a picker assembly having two tandem independent grippers.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an automated storage device showing a picker assembly utilizing a front gripper and a rear gripper.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the pass-through cassette magazine with a portion cut away to show the lock plate in the cassette lock position.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the pass-through cassette magazine with a portion cut away to show the lock plate in the cassette release position.

FIG. 5 is a projection view of the bottom side of the lock plate in the pass-through cassette magazine.

FIG. 6 is a projection view of the top side of the lock plate in the pass-through cassette magazine.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the pass-through cassette magazine with the bottom removed to show the relationship between the lock plate and the cantilever when the lock plate is in the cassette locking position.

FIG. 8 shows a pass-through cassette with the bottom removed to show the relationship between the lock plate and the cantilever when the lock plate is in the cassette release position.
It is a bottom view of a magazine.

FIG. 9 is a projection view of the pass-through cassette magazine with all the data cassettes removed, showing the interlock mechanism in the magazine non-interlock position.

FIG. 10 is a projection view of the pass-through cassette magazine with all data cassettes removed, showing the interlock mechanism at the magazine interlock position.

FIG. 11 is a projection view of the pass-through cassette magazine showing the data cassettes at both the carry-in position and the carry-out position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automated storage system 2 Storage device 3 Picker assembly 4 Magazine 5 Data cassette 6 Access mechanism 8 Cassette holding notch 9 Cassette holding notch

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kenneth Ray Shelley 2371 North Camino Mateo, Tucson, Arizona, United States (56) References JP-A-7-182750 (JP, A) 96929 (JP, U) Hira 4-54045 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G11B 15/68 G11B 17/28

Claims (20)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pass-through cassette magazine adapted to hold a plurality of cassettes for use in an automatic cassette loader (ACL) system.
Each of the cassettes has a first holding mechanism at an edge thereof, and the pass-through is performed while the plurality of cassettes are maintained in a release state for removal and return by the picker mechanism in the pass-through cassette magazine. The cassette magazine is held in a magazine interlock state in the ACL system, and the pass-through cassette magazine keeps the plurality of cassettes locked when the pass-through cassette magazine is released from the ACL system A first side portion, a second side portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of storage cells that are substantially equally spaced between the first side portion and the second side portion. And a plurality of dividers for defining each cassette so that each cassette can pass through each storage cell. A housing that is open at the front and rear to provide a plurality of cantilevers each having a cassette holding mechanism, each of said cantilevers for holding a corresponding cassette in a first position. An upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of lock bars formed on the upper surface positioned at locations of the storage cells for engaging a corresponding cassette holding mechanism with a first holding mechanism of the corresponding cassette; And an interlock mechanism formed on the lower surface, wherein the pass-through cassette magazine is the lock plate.
Each lock bar of the plurality of lock bars is slidably held under the bottom of the housing such that the lock plate slides into a magazine interlock condition when loaded into a CL system. Offset from a corresponding cantilever of the plurality of cantilevers, thus holding the plurality of cassettes releasably, and each lock bar having the lock bar when the pass-through cassette magazine is removed from the ACL system. A slide to a non-interlocked position to be substantially aligned below a corresponding cantilever for locking the cassette in a storage cell; and a housing plate attached to the bottom, the bottom being a bottom plate. The locking plate can slide between the housing plate and And a pass-through cassette magazine containing 2. The lock plate of claim 1 wherein said lock plate includes a spring for maintaining said lock plate in a biased, non-interlocked position to lock said cassette to said storage cell.
Pass-through cassette magazine described in. 3. The lock plate of claim 2, wherein said lock plate includes a manual tab on said bottom to provide a manual override for releasing said cassette.
Pass-through cassette magazine described in. 4. The pass-through cassette magazine according to claim 3, wherein said cassette is held in a vertical position. 5. The pass-through cassette magazine according to claim 4, wherein ten storage cells are provided. 6. Each cassette includes a second holding mechanism at said edge, said second holding mechanism being configured to move said cassette at a first position when said first holding mechanism is aligned with said corresponding cantilever. • separated from the first holding mechanism so as to be fully inserted into the cassette magazine and so that the cassette is in the second position when the second holding mechanism is aligned with the corresponding cantilever; The pass-through cassette magazine according to claim 5, wherein the magazine is aligned. 7. The pass-through cassette magazine according to claim 6, wherein said lock plate is releasable from said interlock position only when a cassette is in said first or second position. . 8. Each lock bar forcibly forces a failed cantilever into a corresponding storage cell area to ensure that said lock bar can be forced to a non-interlocked position. The pass-through cassette magazine of claim 7, including a safety ramp for providing. 9. The first position is a carry-in position, and the second position is a second position.
The pass-through cassette magazine according to claim 7, wherein the position is a carry-out position. 10. The pass-through cassette according to claim 7, wherein each cassette stores a magnetic tape.
magazine. 11. A pass-through cassette magazine for accommodating a plurality of cassettes in a plurality of storage cells, each of said cassettes having a first holding notch on an edge thereof. A housing having a bottom including one cantilever for each of said cantilevers, each of said cantilevers having a cassette holding tab for cooperating with said first holding notch when a cassette is in the loading position; In an interlocked condition, it is slidably biased under the bottom of the housing, and in the magazine non-interlocked condition, each lock bar forces each cantilever tab to the first cassette holding notch to allow such each one. Locks for each cantilever to lock the cassette in the loading position A lock plate having a bar, each lock bar being slidable into a magazine interlock state in which each lock bar moves to the side of a corresponding cantilever to releasably hold each cassette, and an interlock facing the cantilever. A lock plate including a lock mechanism; slidably holding the lock plate under the housing; forcing the lock plate to the interlock position when none of the cassettes in the storage cell are aligned in position. A bottom plate cooperating with said interlock mechanism to form an interlock so as to be retained. 12. Each of the cassettes is configured such that each of the corresponding cantilevers tabs cooperate to lock each of the cassettes in the unloading position when the lock plate is in the magazine non-interlocked state. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a second retaining notch aligned with the retaining notch and spaced from the first retaining notch.
The pass-through cassette magazine according to 1. 13. The lock plate of claim 12, wherein the lock plate includes a manual tab for manually pushing the lock plate into a magazine interlock to remove the cassette from the magazine. Pass-through cassette magazine described in. 14. The pass-through cassette magazine according to claim 13, further comprising bias means for resiliently biasing said lock plate to said magazine non-interlocked state. 15. The pass-through cassette magazine according to claim 14, wherein said cassette is held in a vertical position in said storage cell by each of said cantilevers under each corresponding cassette. 16. The pass-through cassette magazine according to claim 15, comprising ten storage cells. 17. A method for storing, transporting, and accessing a plurality of storage media for processing in a data storage library having a storage device and a picker mechanism, the plurality of storage media being lockable at a loading position. Pass through the plurality of storage media so that
Holding vertically in the magazine; the pass-through magazine interlocking with the storage library to releasably hold the plurality of storage media accessible to the picker mechanism in the pass-through magazine. Inserting the pass-through magazine into the storage library, processing each storage medium, and replacing each processed storage medium at a carry-in position or a carry-out position in the pass-through magazine, and releasing the interlock. It said by Symbol
Removing the pass-through magazine from the storage library and locking the plurality of storage media in the pass-through magazine simultaneously. 18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of placing said pass-through magazine at said interlock position and removing said plurality of storage media from said pass-through magazine. 19. An automated storage system for randomly selecting one cassette from a plurality of cassettes held in a plurality of storage cells and transporting the selected cassette, wherein each cassette is loaded. A storage device for receiving the selected cassette in a loader slot for processing data, a first gripper and a second gripper, wherein the first gripper has a holding mechanism and an unloading holding mechanism. A pass-through picker mechanism having the first gripper and the second gripper mounted vertically so that the plurality of storage cells have access to the cassette and the second gripper has access to the storage device. Wherein the first gripper and the second gripper transfer the selected cassette therebetween; An access mechanism having a pass-through picker mechanism positioned to move the pass-through picker mechanism between one of the plurality of storage cells and the storage device; and an access mechanism for holding the cassette. A pass-through magazine providing a plurality of storage cells, wherein each cassette is held in a magazine interlocked state in the storage system while maintaining each cassette in a cassette unlocked state, and each cassette is maintained in a cassette locked state. A pass-through magazine that is maintained in a magazine non-interlocked state when removed from the storage system, wherein the pass-through magazine is a housing having a bottom including one cantilever for each storage cell; Each cantilever is loaded when the cassette is in the loading position. One with cassette holding tabs to cooperate with holding notches and one corresponding lock bar for each cantilever, with each lock bar carrying each cantilever tab in magazine non-interlocked state A locking plate slidably biased under the bottom of the housing to lock each such cassette in a loading or unloading position by forcing the notch or the unloading cassette retaining notch into a locking plate;・
A magazine where the bar is moved to the side of each corresponding cantilever to hold each cassette releasably
A lock plate that is slidable in an interlocked state and includes an interlock mechanism facing the cantilever, and slidably holds the lock plate under the housing, and any cassette in the storage cell can be in the loading position or A bottom plate that cooperates with the interlock mechanism to form an interlock so that the lock plate is forcibly held in the interlock position when not aligned at the unloading position. Storage system. 20. The automated storage system according to claim 19, including a cartridge presence sensing slot in said pass-through magazine.